Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium - Funeral Service
On Tuesday 19th March 2019 a burial ceremony was held at the CWGC’s Messines Ridge British Cemetery, Belgium at 11am for two soldiers.
an unknown soldier of The Royal Irish Rifles
an unknown soldier of an unknown regiment
Their bodies were found near the town of Wijtschate, south of Ieper. Despite extensive investigation by the UK’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre it has not been possible to identify the two men.
It is known that one of the casualties was serving with the Royal Irish Rifles when he died. CWGC will mark his grave with a headstone bearing this detail. The unknown casualty’s headstone will commemorate him as a ‘Soldier of the Great War, Known unto God’.
The service was attended by British Defence Staff, Regimental representatives, CWGC staff and local dignitaries. Members of the public were welcome to attend.
